On February 19, Secretary of State John Kerry outlined an “action agenda” at the White House Summit on Countering Violent Extremism. Kerry emphasized the need to highlight community-led efforts worldwide that can prevent terrorist recruitment and infiltration.

On Feb. 18, 2015, President Barack Obama delivered remarks at the Summit on Countering Violent Extremism. He called for greater tolerance and acceptance of Muslim Americans, but also underlined the need to effectively combat extremist violence.

Attacks by violent extremists have been on the rise since 2010, and most victims are Muslims. This trend demonstrates that the Muslim world is not pitted against the West in an ideological "clash of civilizations," but that the Muslim world is facing a more complex struggle for the future of Islam, according to Anthony Cordesman’s new report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies.